Tampons and Menstrual Hygiene

Many women choose to use tampons rather than sanitary napkins during their menstrual periods for reasons of comfort and convenience.

Despite the popular misconception about this, most women even young women can use tampons safely. Although a young women’s vagina may be partly blocked by hymen, it generally has an opening large enough for the menstrual flow to escape and for a small tampon to be inserted.

One key point, though; it is a good idea for a woman to use tampons of varying size, depending on her anatomy and the heaviness of her menstrual flow. It is not wise to use super absorbent tampons except on days of heaviest flow. If used on light days, they may absorb the vagina’s natural moisture and cause irritation. Women should not use tampons continuously; sanitary napkins should be used at night. In addition, use of super absorbent tampons has been associated with toxic shock syndrome, a potentially life threatening disease.

If you are using tampons and develop a high fever, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, or a skin rash, you may have toxic shock syndrome. You should remove your tampon immediately and seek care from a physician or hospital emergency room as soon as possible.